GADSDEN, Alabama -- After a long winter, the sun is finally coming out ... and so are scores of people interested in taking your money, Gadsden Police Chief John Crane said.

Addressing the Downtown Gadsden merchants weekly "Connections" meeting today, Crane laid out a few scams to be on the lookout for, and how the scammers might be stopped.

1. Storm debris scam. After tornadoes struck northern Etowah County in late April, they made the area susceptible to people anxious for a quick buck. A person might show up to haul away limbs or storm debris, or offer to make repairs. The person sometimes asks for half the money up front.

"What they might not realize is he's made this deal with six other people, and they're waiting on him to come back," Crane said.

If someone makes this offer, ask to see his driver's license and write the information down, or get his car tag number.

2. Utilities inspector. Someone shows up in ball cap and work clothes asking to inspect your home gas or power. Two people may show up for this scam. During their time in your home, one might distract you while the other pockets items. Or they may be casing the house for a future burglary.

3. Roof or pavement sealers. Someone comes to your door offering to repair the roof or seal the driveway. "It looks good until the first rain washes it away," Crane said. Ask the person for their business license.

4. Medicare benefits. A caller asks for you to confirm personal information for Medicare benefits, such as your date of birth or Social Security number. "They may have gotten your name out of the phone book," he said.

5. Funeral expenses. Scam artists will look over the obituaries, then call the family of a recently deceased person, claiming to be the funeral home looking for outstanding fees.

Many of these scams will require the person being targeted to purchase gift cards at a local store for a predetermined amount. The caller says he will call back and get the card number within a few hours.

6. Unpaid city fines. Crane said this one occurred recently, when a person was told over the phone they owed a fine. The caller ID told the person they were being called from Crane's office.

"With some phones, you can program what number you want to appear on the other end," he said.

What to do? Get as much information about the person - physical description, tag number, name, then file a police report. If someone enters your home and you have reason to believe they are perpetrating a scam, call 911, he said.